For 2007 a challenge was set on the gnatterbox internet forum for registered readers to produce a layout using card baseboards.  See the card challenge thread here.  I did not discover the gnatterbox challenge until November 2007; therefore, regrettably, although I did start construction work on a layout based on a local prototype faciity; South Coast Steam's loco repair site on Portland, time ran out.  I had planned to use both 9mm and 16.5mm gauge items in scale 1:24.   I did complete building a coach for the 15in side and bought some N gauge stock to cannibalise/adapt into 9.5inch guage "ride astride" miniature coaches.  I already had one completed static card model locomotive, one of Keith's card kit drafts (Holy War).   Some notes and images are included below on how far I got before deciding to await a possible 2008 challenge as there was not the proverbial "snowball in hell's" chance of completing this one to a satisfactory standard in what had become under a week to go and no track yet down.   Using card for a baseboard will still be the basis of a couple of ongoing projects but the one outlined below is now unlikely to progress beyond this concept stage in the immediate future.   See this page for the diorama I did build in a day for the competition.

Rough sketch of the prototype site Back to top

The constructed baseboard Back to top

Trial placement of tracks and block buildings Back to top

My idea, as set out above, would have been a 9.5 inch gauge circle of track for public use on workshop open days/weekends based on 9mm track on the left hand side.  On the right hand side some 15 inch gauge static items on repair or completed were to be modelled awaiting despatch as represented by the 00 items above.  The 15 inch section extendable later (towards the camera in the shot above) to give a running line.  There is a prototype for mixed gauges like that on one site at the Kirklees Railway in Yorkshire.   Track as shown above was some old Playcraft/Jouef 009 track from the stock box, no longer made, and to 6in radius.   The Milliput box was would,have been replaced by a half-relief timber shed similar to the one below, the gray shoe box a "portakabin" style office building and the large brown box would gave been replaced with a modern style of workshop, in low relief.   A concept sketch for how to make that is also added below and may become a future "printy" option too for completing a shoe box diorama to supplement Keith's kits.

Draft for a "printy" shed front kit.  A trial build has been constructed of this shed facade kit in 4mm scale.  However the that trial build identified some minor modifications were needed, notably an extra layer to be recommended when making it using a multi layer "ply" construction technique.  Back to top

Alternative draft for a "printy" shed front kit.   NB The loco is Prince William in the workshop / store on the Evesham Vale Railway photographed in 2006.  Any fnal "printy" of this shed will be scaled so that the track gauge at the doorway is either 9mm or 16.5mm

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